News Brief
Delhi-Meerut RRTS Namo Bharat Corridor Nears Completion: Final Track Work In Full Swing, 55km Already Operational
Namo Bharat train.
The construction of the 82km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Namo Bharat corridor is approaching completion, Times of India reported.
Currently, around 55km of the corridor is operational.
Unlike traditional metro and railway networks, this corridor features a precast slab track system, an advanced alternative to conventional ballastless tracks, designed for high-speed trains running at up to 160 kmph.
"Final stages of track installation in the entire corridor are expected to be completed soon, marking a major milestone for the project," an official from the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is overseeing the project, was quoted as saying by ToI.
Since the commencement of operations on 21 October 2023, the Namo Bharat trains have transported around 66 lakh commuters.
The official further informed that trial runs between Meerut South and Shatabdi Nagar began in February, with trial runs set to start soon on the remaining section from Anand Vihar to Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi.
Meerut will also benefit from a dedicated metro service, utilising the same infrastructure, with extensive trial runs already underway.
The Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor is mostly elevated (approximately 70km), with around 12km running underground.
According to an NCRTC official, the ballastless track systems used in other metro systems in the country are constructed on-site (in situ).
However, the Namo Bharat project is an entirely new project with stations every 5-10 km and trains with an operational speed of 160 kmph, which required an advanced track system, the official added.
The Delhi-Meerut RRTS required 44,000 precast slabs, which were manufactured at a dedicated 45,000 sqm factory in Meerut equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and automation.
"All the precast slab tracks were manufactured there with a high degree of precision, ensuring accurate installation and alignment of the track system," the official added.
According to the official, the track system for Namo Bharat focuses on minimising vibrations and jerks caused by high-speed movement, ensuring a smoother and a more comfortable and stable experience.
The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor stretches from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Modipuram in Meerut, comprising 16 Namo Bharat stations and an additional nine stations for the Meerut Metro.
Delhi’s third RRTS station, Sarai Kale Khan, is expected to be operational by June 2025.
